Biz Kidz Expo
When JD Ribali teaches kids about entrepreneurship, he doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. He tells them failure is always an option—and that’s a good thing.
JD Ribali’s newest non-profit project, Young Entrepreneurs And Rising Stars, (YEARS), is designed to support young entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for them to build their skills through hands-on experiences that teach them lessons they need to prosper in the real world. And one of those lessons is learning a new perspective on what it means to fail.
“We want kids to understand how important it is to try, fail, and then make adjustments to improve their products; not just because it makes them better at what they do, but because we believe learning from mistakes is one of the most valuable skills you can teach your child in today’s world”, JD stated.
The most recent Biz Kidz Expo was held on April 15th at Coastland Center in Naples. Young contestants sold their wares and pitched their businesses to a team of local judges. With the support of over 25 local businesses, this event attracted more than 50 budding entrepreneurs who participated and competed for the $5,000 prize money donated by business sponsors.
When 13-year-old Ella Lyman of Naples sold $540 of handmade dog leashes she created for the event, she was more than a little surprised at her success.
“I was not expecting that!”, she said. “I just thought it would be a fun thing to do.”
Ella got the idea for her adjustable crossbody leashes while visiting Baker Park in Naples with her grandmother, brother, and Chihuahua-corgi mix, Chicky. Her grandmother would check in by text to find out where she was and what she was doing. Ella, a two-thumb texter like most teens, realized it was challenging to respond while juggling a leash; and in true entrepreneur fashion, she saw a problem and created a solution.
Jd shared that he’s confident there are many talented kids out there with great ideas, and they just need the right opportunities and support to help them get started – and that’s where the Biz Kidz Expo comes in. They aim to help them dream big and put those dreams into action while giving them the tools they need to do so.
“Imagine what’s possible if we can inspire young people today to act on their dreams and create products or services that make the world a better place. That’s our goal. We’re a community that helps kids find their inner innovator and encourages them to dream big!”
If you want to help inspire kids with big dreams, contact JD Ribali with the Young Entrepreneurs And Rising Stars (YEARS) and the Biz Kidz Expo and see how you can make a difference in a young entrepreneur’s life. www.BizKidzExpo.com